As the Phase 1 oil-testing program continues, the company said that all three wells had been perforated, with flow testing underway.

In addition, the Aztec-7 drill rig is currently drilling the POE-7 well towards a total depth of 1350m, expected to be reached and logged in the next three days.

At POE-3, flow testing has begun on the lowermost of three hydrocarbon-interpreted zones, where production has stabilised at 25 barrels of oil per day from 3m of perforations.

Once testing has finished in the “H” sandstone, both the “G” and “F” sandstones will be perforated and output from all three formations combined to maximise production from this well.

No oil production has previously been recovered from the “H” sandstone, according to Carnarvon.

“Confirmation of a steady production rate should result in additional reserves for the Wichian Buri oil field,” the company said yesterday in a statement.

Meanwhile, the company says field operator Pan Orient is still testing the “G” sandstone at POE-6. Upon the completion of testing, the shallower “F” sandstone will be perforated for testing, with future production from both zones to be combined.

In addition, Carnarvon said the partnership hopes to spud the POE-9 wildcat – the last well in Phase 1 – early next month.

POE-9 will appraise the Na Sunun-1 exploration well, which was drilled in 1997 and flowed oil at 1400bpd from a fractured volcanic sill before watering out. POE-9 is located about 400m east and 150m updip from Na Sanun-1, targeting several volcanic sills within structural closure.

Pan aims to start building the drilling pad this week.